International Community Finalists

The leaders of the city of LaGrange and its development authority are on the go — literally.

Representatives of the West Georgia city already have made business trips to China, recently went to Germany to attend the German Automotive Show and will be back in China for the annual automotive show in Liuzhou. Then it’s on to Korea to visit one of the city’s largest international employers, Sewon.

The Development Authority of LaGrange is a finalist for International Community of the Year in the 2017 Georgia International Awards.

“LaGrange has a rich history of commitment to international business as evidenced by the 41 international companies from 18 different countries located in town,” development authority President Scott Malone said. “This commitment continues today with Chinese-owned Sentury Tire’s $530 million investment and India’s Jindal Film’s $205 million investment to locate their North American headquarters in LaGrange recently.”

Now the city is preparing to launch the Georgia International Business Park, which will be more than 10,000 acres.

World Trade Center Savannah

One of more than 330 World Trade Center Association offices that facilitate direct foreign investment into regional areas, World Trade Center Savannah has secured 65 partners, provided research and trade services to more than 160 companies, hosted 77 delegations from 43 countries, coordinated 18 business development meetings in 12 countries and hosted 82 global education programs in the last six years.

“World Trade Center Savannah is entirely focused two very specific things — helping companies in coastal Georgia succeed and grow through international business and working to identify foreign direct investment attraction opportunities for our region,” said Brynn Grant, the organization’s vice president.

WTC Savannah is a finalist for the International Community award in the 2017 Georgia International Awards.

Volunteers are important supporters of WTC Savannah’s mission, including volunteer board Chairman Scott Center, the center’s “greatest advocate,” who also serves on the WTCA international